Transcript Highlights:

• Cheaper, long-term stability for the transportation sector.
• greenhouse gas policy that really set us up for long-term success so that we can provide good governance
• greenhouse gas policy that really set us up for long-term success so that we can provide good governance
• greenhouse gas policy that really set us up for long-term success so that we can provide good governance
• greenhouse gas policy that really set us up for long-term success so that we can provide good governance

Bills: HF2438

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:29:34.320><c> by</c><00:29:34.640><c> definition</c><00:29:35.600><c> a</c><00:29:35.919><c> long-term
• </c> disorder is by definition a long-term disorder is by definition a long-term event.<00:29:37.120>
• That is what the carrier is paying for: medical treatment, as opposed to long-term PTSD where they could
• PTSD where they potentially long-term PTSD where they potentially could<00:33:01.120><c> be</c><00:33
• Is it safe to say that the health care providers want the limit to be as long as possible and insurers

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Not long ago, one in approximately 10,000 kids, I repeat, one in 10,000 kids, not long ago, under the
• Apparently, that was not long enough. He got out.
• He had a long criminal record that included repeated...
• If we are going to imprison more people for a longer time, we need to be clear about what the long-term
• This is an unenviable position to be in after that long debate.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Representative Hoverson offered remarks recognizing World Autism Day, and the House then handled conference committee motions on several bills, including House Bills 1460 and 1248 and Senate Bills 2262, 2070, 2294, and 2297, with the Speaker appointing members to each conference committee. The chamber also set aside Senate Bill 2200 for re-referral to Appropriations and moved to amendments on Senate Bill 2128, which was the main subject of the day. Senate Bill 2128, a major criminal justice and corrections bill, drew extensive debate over truth-in-sentencing, mandatory minimums, parole, transitional facilities, work release, electronic monitoring, and the fiscal impact of longer incarceration. Division A of the amendments removed mandatory minimums for resisting arrest and felony simple assault while keeping consecutive-sentence language; supporters said this preserved judicial discretion and reduced costs, while opponents argued it weakened public safety. Division A was adopted 70-23. Division B proposed broader changes to preserve transitional programming, add penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring and escape, limit some work-release restrictions, create a parole board study, and fund electronic monitoring with a $600,000 appropriation. Supporters framed it as a compromise that balanced rehabilitation and public safety; opponents said it undercut the bill’s intent and left dangerous offenders with too much access to transitional release. Division B failed on a 46-46 tie. The House then took up the bill itself, with the Judiciary Committee reporting a do-not-pass recommendation as amended, and debate continued over whether the amended bill should advance, with members split between concerns about victims and public safety versus rehabilitation, prison capacity, and recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• workers are critical to California's long-term care delivery system.
• While we understand this is a long-standing issue, we are concerned that long-term care providers and
• LVNs are the backbone of the long-term care workforce, and the change in respiratory care they can provide
• We are concerned that long-term care providers and the older adults they serve are stuck in the middle
• LVNs are the backbone of the long-term care workforce, and the change in respiratory care they can provide

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• But also, you can see it's a revenue enhancer for them and a stability over the long term, but it costs
• </c><03:23:20.720><c> term</c><03:23:21.000><c> but</c> and a stability over the long term but and a
• stability over the long term but it<03:23:21.239><c> costs</c><03:23:21.520><c> us</c><03:23:21.720><
• really long. people now that I have this system um people now that I have this system um what<03:45:
• goal oriented type of um long-term goal oriented type of Interest<05:26:50.878><c> or</c><05:26:51.120

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, our family caregivers are really the backbone of a long-term care system, and, unfortunately
• You know, our family caregivers are really the backbone of a long-term care system, and, unfortunately
• You know, our family caregivers are really the backbone of a long-term care system, and, unfortunately
• or dependent care, or if they have an adult family member who needs care during the day, needed.
• or dependent care, or if they have an adult family member who needs care during the day, needed.

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 5, 2025, and heard testimony on several bills related to economic development, broadband, tax policy, and family support. HB 455 drew support for a startup-business loan program, with DBEDT, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and Hmua Collective among those in favor; Tax Foundation Hawaii questioned the need for a special fund. HB 437, concerning Hawaii trade/investment offices, received support from DBEDT and Hawaii Friends for Civil Rights, and members asked DBEDT about how to measure return on investment from the overseas offices. HB 650, dealing with broadband-related administration, was supported by DBEDT, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, and others, while committee discussion focused on the role of the state’s trade and investment offices and broadband administration. HB 935, on digital navigator support, received testimony in favor from DBEDT, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Hawaii system, and others, but also drew comments about consumer representation and the need for service on neighbor islands. The committee also heard strong testimony on tax and family-related measures. HB 572, which would remove the grocery tax, received overwhelming support from groups including the Hawaii Food Industry Association, AARP Hawaii, and others, with testimony emphasizing food insecurity and cost-of-living relief; Tax Foundation Hawaii offered technical comments. HB 701, a caregiver tax credit bill, was supported by AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others, with AARP stressing the burden on family caregivers and Tax Foundation Hawaii suggesting the credit percentage be reduced to preserve price-shopping incentives. HB 753, another child and dependent care tax credit measure, drew support from AARP Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others; Tax Foundation Hawaii again raised technical concerns, this time about the complexity of the formula. After testimony, the committee took up decision-making. HB 455 was passed with amendments, including transferring administrative responsibility from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to the Community-Based Economic Development Program, blanking out the appropriation, adding one business loan officer FTE, and noting a $95,000 cost. HB 437, HB 650, HB 934, HB 442, and HB 572 were all advanced with amendments, generally involving blanking out appropriations, moving amounts into committee notes, technical cleanup, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000. HB 935 was deferred because of overlap with public library programs and uncertainty about federal funding for digital navigator positions. The chair also indicated HB 7 would be amended to add a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit and related technical changes, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other care needs of their loved one.
• overdue for over 50 years. long overdue for over 50 years.
• I've been on the Veterans and Military Committee for two terms now.
• We also were featured on CARE 11, Almanac North, and FOX 21. Again, we hired our CARE coordinator.
• I trust the system; it's working for me.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• When the nurses leave, rural areas of care are impacted.
• So this will help retention and patient care, giving timely care.
• And when we lose even one nurse, care is delayed.
• Services are reduced, and patients are forced to travel long distances for care they should be able to
• And no matter where we live, we all rely on the same system.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public health, wildfire recovery, local finance, transportation, and rural health care. SB 1124 by Senator Archuleta would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post signage at tobacco retail locations about lung cancer screening eligibility. The author and a UC San Diego thoracic surgery resident testified that lung cancer screening is underused because many Californians do not know it exists, while retailers and convenience store groups raised implementation concerns about sign size, store space, and notice before penalties. Members discussed penalties and screening access, and the author said he was willing to reduce the penalty in later amendments. The bill passed 4-0 and was sent to the Committee on Health. The committee also considered several disaster-related tax measures. SB 1352 by Senator Valadao and Senator Allen would clarify that wildfire victims can rebuild homes up to 110% of the original size without losing their Proposition 13 base-year value, and it received support from the Los Angeles County Assessor, the California Association of Realtors, and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. SB 1343, presented by Senator Allen on behalf of Senator Dahle, would create a $4,000 income tax credit for sales tax paid on furniture and appliances purchased after a disaster for a primary residence; the chair raised concerns about administration and benefits flowing to higher-income households, and CTA opposed. Both bills were approved and sent to Appropriations, with SB 1352 passing 5-0 and SB 1343 passing 5-0 after committee amendments were accepted. SB 1172 by Senator Hurtado would place limits and transparency requirements on consultant compensation in local tax-sharing agreements, responding to examples from Shafter and Dinuba where local revenue was allegedly diverted to consultants. The city of Shafter, League of California Cities, and California Retailers Association supported the bill, while some members worried it could infringe on local control; the author and sponsor argued it would protect local tax dollars without eliminating local discretion. The bill passed 4-0 and went to Appropriations. SB 1408 by Senator Arreguín would authorize Contra Costa Transportation Authority to place a countywide sales tax measure of up to 1% on the ballot to continue transportation funding; supporters included transit agencies and county officials, while Howard Jarvis and the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association opposed. The committee emphasized that the measure only lets voters decide, and the bill passed 4-1. The committee also took up SB 1404 by Senator Stern, which would restore a fee on property owners in state responsibility areas to help fund Cal Fire wildfire prevention and suppression, with the author saying he wanted to reduce administrative costs and work on hardship protections. NRDC and PG&E supported the concept, while rural county representatives, Howard Jarvis, and Butte County opposed, arguing the fee would unfairly burden rural and fixed-income residents and function like a tax. Members split over affordability and local impacts, but the bill passed 4-1. Finally, SB 1102 by Senator Dodd would create a $2,000 tax credit for frontline nurses working in rural hospitals; supporters said it would help retention and access to care in underserved areas, and the bill passed 5-0 after committee amendments were accepted. The consent calendar and other listed bills were also approved on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• to go in and expand the system.
• These aren't new... ...the same sanitary source system to go ahead and expand the system.
• And so, big support for a long time. It's been a long time coming.
• It's by coming up with a way where you offer the private property owner some type of incentive long-term
• We've seen on our own boats the issues in Biscayne Bay with the derelict vessels, the long-term stored

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of environmental and natural resources bills. It reported favorably SB 1784 on sewer collection systems, allowing municipal sewer revenues to be used for expansion; SB 1388 on vessels, which prohibits random vessel inspections without probable cause, creates a five-year safety decal, bars local fuel-type boat bans, and expands funding options for boat ramps and marinas; and SB 880, which designates the American flamingo as Florida’s state bird and the Florida scrub jay as the state songbird. SB 946, as amended, was also reported favorably; it restricts certain waste facilities and incinerators near the Everglades, with the amendment narrowing the focus to the Broward/Miami-Dade area near the C-9 impoundment project. SB 1792 on dry sandy beaches was reported favorably after amendment, creating a pilot and process to inventory beaches and explore voluntary public access or conservation arrangements with private owners. SB 866 on anchoring limitation areas was reported favorably despite opposition from cruisers and boaters who argued existing law should be used instead of new county-specific restrictions. SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands was reported favorably with amendments that removed language about the necessity of phosphate mining and clarified that landowners requesting a radiation study must pay for it. The committee also reported favorably SB 1326 on hurricane evacuation clearance times and permit allocations in the Keys, and SB 1580, after a delete-all amendment, which authorizes DEP to use public-private partnerships for coastal resiliency projects. Finally, SB 1300 on oil and gas drilling permits was introduced to require DEP to consider potential harm from accidents or blowouts to natural resources when reviewing drilling permits, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill. The committee also took up confirmations, temporarily postponing the vote on Rodney Barreto’s FWC reappointment after public criticism of his leadership, while recommending favorably the other listed appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Dow, it varies in terms of what they request.
• It's been a very long day.
• So I think that there in terms of housing students.
• It is not a replacement in any way for child care.
• Director Bryan is going to take care of that.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• an enhanced existing system at APD long-term, these would be impractical and potentially unachievable
• system including system performance limitations, inefficient system interactions, duplicative system
• While the advantages of a mobile first TV experience are clear for our operational in long-term considerations
• And then as I mentioned, there's all the Enterprise Systems, HR system that the state uses the HR system
• Yes, that's long, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• Sales tax revenue fluctuates with... ...the economy, and grants cannot sustain long-term operations.
• Now more than ever, we must... ...recognize the long-term consequences and preserve the stable funding
• I believe that we must think carefully about the long-term effects of this proposal.
• However, we don't believe that dramatically reducing property taxes is the long-term solution.
• Constitutional limitations that reduce long-term fiscal flexibility may introduce risks.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• John celebrates 100 years of care and compassion.
• My experience with long-term care facilities is a lot of times those doctors are paid by them, and the
• My experience with long-term care facilities is a lot of times those doctors are paid by them, and the
• Would you agree that this is somewhat aspirational and in its infancy, but as a long-term goal, as you
• We have no money for child care subsidies.

Bills: HB4104 , HB3722 , HB3787 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3310 , HB3404 , HB2964 , HB2398 , HB3024 , HB3499 , HB3278 , HB3279 , HB3645 , HB3649 , HB2293 , HB3260 , HB3176 , HB3177 , HB3114 , HB3172 , HB3322 , HB3323 , HB4248 , HB3720 , HB2210 , HB1322 , HB1937 , HB3301 , HB4107

Summary: The House convened, heard the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, recognized the Doctor of the Day, and held several special presentations, including the Bethany Youth Council and a centennial recognition for Ascension St. John. The chamber then took up a long series of bills on second and third reading, with members asking questions on hospice care, broadband, funeral director continuing education, economic development, court reporters, DUI-related GPS monitoring, banking discrimination, statutory interpretation, electronic filings, intoxicating hemp beverages, homemade food production, youth apprenticeships, domestic violence, school communications with minors, firearms definitions, and outdoor warning sirens. Among the measures considered, House Bill 3645 on hospice referrals for patients without next of kin or a durable power of attorney passed 16-0. House Bill 3649, allowing proceeds from certain state property sales to remain in the mental health real estate trust, passed 15-0. House Bill 2293 extending the Oklahoma Broadband Office sunset to 2030 passed 84-10. House Bill 3216 adding the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association to approved continuing education providers passed 94-0, and House Bill 3176 directing Commerce to pursue national lab and innovation opportunities passed 51-37 after extensive debate about its aspirational nature and cost. Other bills approved included HB 3177 on Corporation Commission court reporter pay and retention, HB 3114 removing DUI with great bodily harm from DOC GPS monitoring eligibility, HB 3172 restricting adverse banking actions by large financial institutions against lawful activity, HB 3322 on statutory interpretation, HB 3323 removing notarization requirements for electronic Service Oklahoma submissions, HB 4248 restricting certain intoxicating beverages to those 21 and older, HB 3720 expanding the Homemade Food Freedom Act, HB 2210 modernizing youth apprenticeships, HB 1322 creating a domestic violence offender registry, HB 1937 revising school communications with minors and receiving emergency passage, HB 3301 aligning state firearms definitions with federal law, and HB 4107 criminalizing hacking or unauthorized activation of outdoor warning sirens. Most bills passed with broad support, though some drew significant questioning over fiscal impact, public safety, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we do try to take a long-term perspective.
• As I mentioned, long-term results are important. Average persons in the plan for 40 years.
• In terms of a portfolio, and by the way, every investor who's investing long-term has risky assets, but
• Yeah, Madam Chair, Representative, as I mentioned, our perspective is long-term.
• As I think about it, maybe in the last year we did fire a couple of them on those long-term things.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• This means taxpayer dollars go towards short-lived rentals rather than long-term community assets.
• rather</c><00:04:41.840><c> than</c> short-lived rentals rather than short-lived rentals rather than long-term
• </c><00:04:44.320><c> Other</c> long-term community assets. Other long-term community assets.
• Overall, terms must be library.
• </c> traditional at large standard system. traditional at large standard system.

Bills: HF3698 , HF4243 , HF4239 , HF4241 , HF4242 , HF4240

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Robert<00:03:27.040><c> Long.
• I'm deputy secretary and Robert Long.
• Long, you're chomping at the bit.
• That's the kinship care issue.
• Is that As long as we have co-chair?

Summary: The committee first heard from Personnel Cabinet officials on House Bill 6, which required the Kentucky Employees Health Plan to offer a qualified high-deductible health plan by the 2026 plan year. Officials said the plan was already added for 2025, described it as the lowest-premium option with higher deductibles, and explained that federal rules prevent first-dollar coverage except for limited preventive services. They said 264 members had selected the plan out of about 142,000, and noted it also allows health savings accounts. Members asked about the plan’s benefits, what “catastrophic” meant, the deductible amounts, and whether employees were aware of the option; the cabinet said it would continue to highlight the plan in communications and that the deductible is above $8,000 for individuals and above $16,000 for families. The committee then received an update from the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs on the Bowling Green veterans center. Officials said the current target is to move into the building on October 28, with first admissions about two months later, pending final fixes and certification steps for Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA. They explained that about $7 million in FY25 appropriations lapsed because of construction delays, staffing ramp-up was postponed to avoid unnecessary spending, and the unspent funds should be considered in the next budget request. Members praised the project and asked about annual operating costs; officials said the current operating budget is about $15 million, though they do not expect to spend all of it this year. The commissioner also announced the fifth annual state commanders conference in Lexington, focused on veterans issues and featuring state, federal, and advocacy leaders. State Auditor Allison Ball then outlined her office’s budget priorities. She said the office is primarily a billing agency that charges audited entities for its work, and warned that some agencies are now signaling they may refuse to pay for audits related to kinship care and the medical cannabis application process. She said the office plans to continue requesting outlier credits for unusually burdensome county audit fees, funding for the ombudsman office’s transition and expanded in-office operations, and revenue replacement for local government audits and possibly state audits and special examinations. Ball also said the office conducts about 500 audits, reviews, and examinations a year and wants to restore performance audits with seed funding, as well as add investigators to the ombudsman office to focus more on child abuse and neglect cases. Members discussed the value of performance audits, the possibility of raising certain board thresholds to account for inflation, and the need for additional capacity to handle more audits.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a primary-care-based wellness health care system.
• </c><02:11:38.079><c> We</c><02:11:38.400><c> have</c> wellness health care system.
• We have wellness health care system.
• real achievable solutions to expand housing supply while preserving fairness, property rights, and long-term
• </c><05:41:32.240><c> financial</c> require enormous long-term financial require enormous long-term financial

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your motives, but I'm thinking of the long-term consequences for the schools and outside
• I appreciate your motives, but I'm thinking of the long-term consequences for the schools and outside
• I appreciate your motives, but I'm thinking of the long-term consequences for the schools and outside
• I appreciate your motives, but I'm thinking of the long-term consequences for the schools and outside
• <00:25:37.440><c> consequences</c> long-term consequences long-term consequences um um um for<00:25:39.880

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• That paired with the higher care system.
• </c><02:49:07.439><c> in</c> kinds of systems and places for care in kinds of systems and places for
• The financial gain from naming rights often pales in comparison to the long-term value of preserving
• Are these tax credits delivering meaningful long-term benefit for the state and its residents?
• Are these tax credits delivering meaningful long-term benefit for the state and its residents?

Transcript Highlights:

• have a number of firefighters go out injured somewhat frequently, and unfortunately some of those are long-term
• We think it's a reasonable amount of time to say that within 30 days of a long-term injury there needs
• So with that, I'd be happy to entertain any questions. long-term injuries or illnesses uh what long-term
• > 30</c><00:10:14.560><c> days</c><00:10:15.279><c> of</c><00:10:15.440><c> a</c><00:10:15.600><c> long-term
• </c><00:10:16.079><c> injury</c> within 30 days of a long-term injury within 30 days of a long-term injury

Committee: Senate Commerce